I "retired" from the corporate world a couple of years ago because I wanted to experience a real life after years of 80 hour work weeks and constant travel. A year later I realized that I was having a really good time, was always busy (how did i ever fit in a job??) and needed a creative outlet to share my experiences. Now I split my time between California and New Mexico but, wherever I am, I write about delicious, fresh, local, organic/sustainably grown food.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

maybe cucumber coolers with agave simple syrup?

it is cucumber week at summerfest and i cannot wait to see all the recipes from the participating bloggers. i love cucumbers, but i must confess that i forget about them sometimes. i use them on sandwiches...have a favorite spicy cucumber salad that i shared last year...add them to my greek quinoa salad (a crucial ingredient for regular greek salads too)....and, of course, they are a staple in my summer gazpacho. my friend rachelle made delicious cucumber tea sandwiches for book club last week and that recipe is definitely being added to my list of cucumber ideas. but then i start to lose steam. what else can i do with this cold, crunchy, refreshing vegetable?

cucumbers contain mostly water and are a good source of vitamin C, silica, potassium and magnesium. their peel is full of beneficial fiber so i almost always use them peel on. i did some research regarding their other health benefits and was thrilled to find this review from the world's healthiest foods site:

"The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber's high water content makes it naturally hydrating, a must for glowing skin . Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis. "

they had me at "a must for glowing skin". the article also reminded me of my cucumber cooler drink....perfect for the hot days of summer. i keep the cucumber in the refrigerator until the last minute and ensure the other ingredients are prepped and ready to go. then i peel and chop the cucumber and quickly throw everything in the blender, process and serve immediately so that it is ice cold when i serve. this recipe makes 2 drinks but is easily doubled or quadrupled. perfect for a party...(and it is pretty tasty turned into a cocktail too) note...this drink is one of the few times i peel cucumbers in recipes...the little bits of peel aren't especially nice in the drink ....but, if i am making it just for me and want all the health benefits possible, i skip the peeling step and call it a smoothie.

i also make an agave simple syrup to sweeten the drink. most simple syrups are equal parts water and sugar cooked until the sugar dissolves. i am trying to avoid white sugar whenever possible and decided to experiment with agave. since agave is already a liquid, it is not absolutely necessary to combine with the water, but i find that the reduced sweetness and thinner consistency works better in drinks. try the simple syrup if you have the time...if not, just add regular organic raw agave nectar...either way is delicious...

peel cucumber. cut a few thin slices and reserve for garnish. cut the remaining cucumber into large pieces.add all ingredients except garnishes to blender. pulse until liquefied, thick and frothy. serve immediately garnished with the mint and cucumber slices.**note...this drink becomes a delicious cocktail by adding vodka, gin or tequila!

now it is your turn to participate in summer fest. simply leave your cucumber tip or recipe or favorite links in the comments below, and then go visit food network and do the same same. be sure to check out all the other participating bloggers. their recipes sound amazing!

I used have dry skin. I started drinking cucumber juice and also applied cucumber mask and I realised that my skin was becoming much better. It was totally. hydrated. Now, I make it a point to include cucumber in my juice, food, facial mask, lotion. Thanks for the other cucumber suggestions in this post. It is really useful for me.

About Me

I "retired" from the corporate world a few years ago because I wanted to experience a real life after years of 80 hour work weeks and constant travel. I soon realized I was having a really good time, was always busy (how did I ever fit in a job??) and needed a creative outlet to share my experiences.

Now I split my time between California and New Mexico and, wherever I am, I write about delicious, fresh, local, organic/sustainably grown food. I blog, am a retail & marketing consultant and serve on a few non-profit boards. Very busy life and I love every minute.